Beautiful, family-friendly hideaway just 3 hours from Singapore

Nikoi is a private island, an atoll just north of the Equatorial Line, a hideaway island the size of 15 football fields and with a mission where sustainability is at the core of the DNA.

Nikoi is palms swaying and beautiful wooden bungalows, creaking sand, and underwater adventures. Well-preserved coral reefs and sensitive tropical ecosystems at your feet, and it's a hotel where you seriously leave your shoes when you arrive - and don't see them until departing the paradise island. Welcome to Nikoi.

Nikoi is just a three-hour transport from Singapore, but the contrast between the global luxury metropolis and the rustic island paradise is absolutely incredible.

Luxury redefined - no shoes here

It feels like being transported away from modern civilization as you step off the boat and into the transparent, warm waters that surround Nikoi Island. You connect with nature the second you arrive.

At Nikoi, tropical rainforest and beautiful birds meet sea and water in an intriguing and exotic unity, and it's hard to believe that Singapore is just 3 hours away. The jungle beach feel is one of the main attractions at Nikoi.

Barefoot luxury is a frequently used term to describe beach hotels with a particularly eco-friendly profile, but still with a high level of service. At Nikoi, it seems like the only real term to use. It is redefined and luxury that makes you relax. The atmosphere and ambiance are relaxed and casual. All day and night.

Wooden constructions and grass on the roof

There are 15 cottages in total - all with a sea view towards the sunset. The construction is identical to huts in the Indonesian archipelago, which is fitting as Nikoi is part of Indonesia's territory. Reclaimed wood is now the cabins' walls and floors, while meter-long straws, called alang alang, have become the roof.

There is room for around 50 visitors at Nikoi, and a large part of the guests are families and couples on an adventure - away from everyday big city living.

Families are very welcome at Nikoi. The staff is trained to include children in many of the activities that the hotel offers. The staff engages with children in games, activities, and babysitting. At Nikoi the sea, sand, and jungle is the playground. So no need for PlayStation and YouTube.

Designed as a sustainable hotel

From the beginning, the construction and operation of Nikoi have been based on strict sustainable principles. Not only was Nikoi built and operated using local materials, labor, and services, but the owners have taken it a step further and taught many of their contractors and employees new approaches and techniques.

So sustainability is not just the beautiful cabins that are clearly produced with natural materials. It is also the development of the island's resources. It's the inclusion of people from the local community and it purchases from local markets and merchants.

Despite the hotel's modest size, Nikoi has a full-time employee in charge of sustainability and securing implementation of projects in the everyday life at Nikoi.

Nikoi has been a source of inspiration for other hotels in the region. And not without reason, Nikoi is part of the exclusive community The Long Run (which we in Journey's Intent are also members of), which supports initiatives in the tourism industry that act with care and operate sustainable in all its actions.

Best of all

Nikoi Island is in many ways an adventurous experience. Below water, the corals are colorful and you can be lucky to see turtles, seahorses, and rays. Above the sea, Nikoi is able to entertain with such diverse things as petanque, tennis, croquet, and rock climbing. 

Turtles lay their eggs part of the year at Nikoi. The hotel also offers a great spa experience. Nikoi is a treat for all senses and creates a relaxing yet inspiring holiday.

And best of all, the Nikoi is amazingly reasonably priced considering you are booking a holiday to a private island among Indonesia's 14,000 islands - and you cannot find a better place for a chill and relaxed no shoes beach holiday with a purpose.